A person with knowledge of the review process told USA TODAY Sports the NFL had been weighing a fine in lieu of a suspension for Smith, who will forfeit 1/17th of his $6 million base salary â?? $352,941 â?? if he loses his appeal and is force to miss a regular-season game.

But in announcing the suspension, NFL Vice President of Football Operations Merton Hanks called the act "a flagrant violation of NFL safety rules."

"I didn't swing (the helmet) at him," Smith said, according to the Houston Chronicle.

"I was restrained. I caught myself. I did it out of frustration, but I brought the helmet back slow to my body so I wouldn't hit him. I think the suspension is a little harsh because I restrained myself."

Smith added that he would appeal: "Anybody would in this situation. I want to state my case. I've never had anything like this before. I'm surprised it included a regular-season game."

In assessing the penalty, the NFL cited Rule 12, Section 2, Article 16 (page 71) of the NFL Rule Book, which states: "A player may not use a helmet that is no longer worn by anyone as a weapon to strike, swing at, or throw at an opponent."

The fracas began after Incognito apparently grabbed Smith's face mask, fueling the notion that Smith acted in retaliation. There also is a history of bad blood between Smith and Incognito.

Smith was fined $21,000 by the NFL, which was reduced to $11,000 on appeal, after kicking Incognito during the season opener last September. In that incident, Smith contended that he retaliated after Incognito crashed into his ankle as players scrambled to recover a fumble.

"Football's an intense game, it's played with a lot of passion, blood runs hot, I've been there, I'm no choir boy," Incognito told reporters. "People lost their cool, just thank God no one got hurt."

Typically, the NFL handles reviews for on-the-field violations by mid-week and issues discipline by the end of the week.